Mini Mountains: 3D Printed Keychains and Models Using Real Terrain Data and Tinkercad

Do you want to put mountains on your desk? Or on your keys or your backpack? I've always wanted to turn peaks I've summitted into keychains and paperweights to commemorate them. When I summitted my first peak, I sought a way to carry that achievement with me forever. This project shrinks some of Earth's largest features into palm-sized mementos.

With the use of free online tools and a 3D printer, you can make this a reality and turn any mountain--or even an entire landscape--into a 3D printable keychain, paperweight, or decoration.

In this Instructable, I will demonstrate the whole process of how I 3D print miniature mountains and how you can too!

Any computer with a web browser (I used Chrome) and a slicer (I used Cura).

Any 3D printer (I used the Elegoo Neptune 3 Pro) <-- Insert link

Any 3D printing filament (I used Overture White PLA) <-- Insert link

Keyring (Only if making keychains)

Sharpie (If tracing route)

Go to https://touchterrain.geol.iastate.edu/main (TouchTerrain), which allows terrain to be converted into 3d printable STL files. Then, select an elevation data source that doesn't contain your mountain, as this will make it easier to find it (I chose ANTARCTICA_DEM), as my mountain is in Nepal (Image 1). This is optional, but it makes it easier to find your mountain on the map. Now, search for your mountain in the search bar and zoom in/out to get your mountain into the view that you want (Image 2).

Secondly, switch your elevation data source to the one that you want. I would recommend USGS for mountains in the US, but AW3D30 for the rest of the world. I selected AW3D30 since Mt. Everest is in Nepal (Image 3).

Click the blue "Re-center box on map" button to place the red square over your mountain (Image 4). The red square is the area where an STL would be exported. Take the corners or edges of the red box to adjust it until it includes the part(s) of the mountain/terrain that you want to 3d print. I included most of Mt. Everest without including the other mountains in the Himalayas (Image 5).

To create the STL, set the width of the 3D model (the height is automatically calculated). If you want a small keychain, choose 40-50 mm, but if you want a paperweight, choose 70-80 mm. I chose 40 mm for the keychain and 70 mm for the paperweight, since I am creating both (Image 1).

Select the nozzle size of your printer. Then, select the amount of tiles that you want (this can be used to create larger models with more pieces). Since I am making miniatures, I'm only using 1 tile. Then, choose the model base (this is how many mm of material are printed underneath the model. I chose 1 mm, the default.

Choose the vertical exaggeration (x1.0 is recommended because mountains are being printed), the file format (STL to 3D print), and click the green Export button (Image 2). Once it redirects, click the gray "Download zip File" Button to download a Zip File with your STL model inside (Image 3).

Then, unzip the .zip file and copy your STL file to another location, such as downloads or another folder.

Skip this step if you are not adding any features or creating a keychain with the mountain model.

Import the STL model of the mountain into Tinkercad, which can be used to easily add a keyring, or even a label or markings on the mountain. For this example, I will add a keyring to create a keychain.

Open the tube from the "Basic Shapes" library and set the amount of sides to 128 and adjust the size to your liking. I wanted it on a corner and not too large (Image 1). Then, open the "Cylinder" shape and make sure it is in hole mode. Then, place it inside the tube shape, adjusting it to overlap as little of the tube as possible, and change the side count to 128 (Image 2). Next, select all using Ctrl+a and group them with Ctrl+g (Image 3).

If you would like to make any other modifications like a label or markings, you can do them by adding other shapes in Tinkercad.

Then, export the model and save it to your computer by clicking the "Export" button in the top right and then selecting STL as the model type (Image 4).

Then, take your STL file (either modified or raw from TouchTerrain) and open it in a 3d printing slicer (I used Cura). Then, choose your settings (recommended settings are listed below) and slice it.

For Keychain:

1. Layer height: 0.1mm (for more detail)
2. Infill: 20%
3. Supports: None
4. Bed Adhesion: Brim

For Paperweight:

1. Layer height: 0.1mm or 0.2mm
2. Infill: 100% (to add more weight)
3. Supports: None
4. Bed Adhesion: Brim

To finish up, attach the keyring to your 3D printed mountain if you made a keychain (images 1 & 2).

Or, if you would like to draw your route on it, take a sharpie and trace the route you took over the mountain (images 3 & 4).

You can also do other things after the print is finished, such as sanding or painting.

You now have a finished mountain model that can be a keychain, paperweight, trophy, award, or decoration!

TouchTerrain: Elevation values are all 0.0 (Image 1). Solution: Select an elevation data source that covers the area you are in. This error means that the elevation data source you used does not cover the area or mountain you are creating a model of. You may be using the USGS data source, even if your mountain isn't in the US. Make sure to use AW3D30 for other parts of the world.